neohic

I wonder if a column out of a late ‘90s Ram or Dakota would be comparable.

… or the first time I need to shovel them this winter?

Thanks!… and it is not.

Glad this project is over with. 28 steps in total and 71 6x6 timbers between the new retaining wall and steps. Then I sealed up the expansion joints and the seal between the retaining wall and the sidewalk. I added a gutter along the back of the car port but the plan is to add another along this side of the shop too. These things are never done until the for sale sign goes back in the yard.

This poor truck really only gets out to do truck stuff. Needed to run to the lumber yard today. Still gets a ton of looks!

Better pull the bottom bolt at the axle side to see if the mounting hole is ovaled out also. No sense in replacing the track bar if it isn’t the actual issue.

That’s easily worth more than $900 of fun though!

Agreed. Looks like a solid bed!

Thanks, gents!

I don’t hate the doors. The can said “sunshine red” so I figured it must be in the same family as “sun faded red”.

Been picking at steps when I can. I’m averaging about one step per hour. Maybe 3/4 down the hill? There’ll be a bit more structure to build for the bottom landing. Aiming for coming down next to the rocks at the end of the retaining wall.

It’s hanging in there pretty good. There’s an even layer of dirt on it again that hides most of its brilliance. Picked up a small fuel tank that I can rework some to put under the driver seat like older model CJs. Price was right… not sure I need another project though.

Well… it’s getting to be that time of year again. It was 34° outside this morning and I needed to move some parts around. The top was wide open to get to so I reluctantly put it all back together. Made a good run though! Now… about those door bottoms…

H3RESQ’s old truck? Forever a personal favorite of mine.

Is this still a 4x4 or has it gone back to its roots as a 2wd? A NP242 could be rad in a street truck!

I dig it.

I love the interiors on those early Chargers. Kinda like a factory produced show car with the full length consoles and backlit gauges. Very nice!

That came out great!

I’ve been dreading this for years. The retaining wall behind the house has never been awesome. A while back when I moved the shed in, the plan was to replace the wall with a new one out of 6x6 timbers so it could sit on something more solid than the cinder blocks I “temporarily” put under it. It’s been a long weekend of digging. … and then I started on steps down to the shop. I’ve got a ways to go yet.

Went for a drive to fetch my new… older?… transmission today. My Bronco buddy arranged transportation to his place which is way closer to me than Denver where it started. He’s definitely a Ford guy and it’s easy to see that walking around his place. There’s the ‘69 highboy, ‘66 Mercury 2wd, his ‘74 Bronco, and a slew of parts stashed away everywhere. I was very excited to see the Bronco! It’s been a while, but this was one of the first bigger fabrication projects I had while working at a local 4x4 shop. Tons of tube work, a bunch of aluminum, and it’s all hidden under a patchwork quilt style body. This thing is very solid and after quarter panels and rockers it just might get painted… maybe… someday. Anyhow… the NP435. I got it home and had a closer look at it. Judging by the crazy shifter, it was clearly swapped into the early Bronco it came out of. The date on the case is 10/31/68. Overall, I’m happy with it. Still no clear direction as to when this is happening or what transfer case, but this is an awesome transmission that I’ll be able to swap over my bellhousing, clutch assembly, and even the pilot bushing should work. Right now I’m leaning towards keeping my current Dana 20 in lieu of its 2.03:1 low range. This trans will jump me from 25:1 to 57:1. Not sure how much more important 70 or 75:1 is to me for a bunch more added cost. We’ll see what other deals might come along, I guess.

I had my assumptions when I saw the XJ shackles.

Things were looking pretty great in the shop! … but this is still very terrible paint. It’s just shiny terrible paint now! It photographs well but the amount of runs and garbage that I never noticed really made itself known. We’ll see how things hold up.

I would think so. I also highly doubt it’ll get anything further. This thing still lives outside all day, everyday. Surely it’s leaps forward being better off than what it was.

The Poppy’s Patina gloss clear kit came in late last week. It’s pretty straight forward but the real allure to me was the idea of a wipe on clear coat out of the lack of overspray and the huge mess over my whole shop that goes along with that. Things went… okay. The finish is great but the supplied applicator was a bit frustrating to use. There are spraying instructions and, should I use this stuff in the future, I’d probably go that route. There’s really no turning back if you miss anything once you start. Their tag line could be, “Didn’t notice that ancient run under those two layers of paint? YOU’LL SEE IT NOW!!!” I did two coats over the course of a couple days. Lights, hood hinges and latches, badges, and the mirror where all pulled off. Sanding got a little away from me in a few spots but I think the CJ wears the “faux-tina” well. I’ll get it all put back together in the morning.

Thanks, Mike! We all know these things are never "finished" though. That's pretty much whenever the for sale sign goes back in the yard.